Teacher charged after putting 5-year-old student in headlock, officials say

NEW YORK (WCBS) – New York police said a teacher was arrested for putting a 5-year-old student in a chokehold at a Manhattan elementary school.

Anthony Wicks, 46, was seen leaving Manhattan Criminal Court in silence with his husband on Tuesday evening.

He was left without supervision after being charged with second-degree assault and child abuse.

The full-time teacher was arrested Monday after he put a 5-year-old child in a headlock at Adam Clayton Powell Junior Elementary School in Hamilton Heights, according to prosecutors.

“It was a very scary moment for him,” said the child's father. “He said his teacher's hands were tightly wrapped around his neck and he said he would be good and asked his teacher to let go.”

The child's brother said the incident occurred after the child refused to go to the “time out” corner.

“He made a fuss because he wanted to take a break,” said his father.

This is Wicks' first arrest.

His lawyer said Wicks worked for the city's Department of Education for five years and previously worked at a preschool for three years.

In a statement, a Department of Education spokesman said: “This alleged conduct is completely unacceptable and this member of staff has been dismissed immediately. If convicted, we will seek his dismissal.”

The judge ordered that Wicks not have any contact with the child. When asked if he understood that, Wicks replied, “Yes, of course.”

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